2008 Volvo C70
Based on analysis of 45 C70 reviews and test drives.
Volvo C70 - What the Auto Press Says
The 2008 Volvo C70 ranks 13 out of 17 Upscale Midsize Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 45 published reviews and test drives of the Volvo C70, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
The C70 is a safe, attractive and fun convertible. With a hard-top and the Volvo name, the C70 also offers premium safety features that are competitive for the midsize class. Compared to other luxury convertibles, the C70 lags somewhat in power.
The 2008 Volvo C70 is a fun ride with premium handling and class-leading safety. The C70 is attractive, inside and out. The retractable hardtop adds convenience, style, and it functions easily. The Auto Channel reports that "Volvo is a confident player in the upscale market, and it shows [in] the C70's style, execution of the design, and in the vehicle's performance characteristics." The C70 is also comfortable, with a roomy front seat and class-competitive cargo space.
C70 sales have been trailing off in 2008. As gas prices rise, many consumers have lost interest in convertibles, plus the C70 comes for a hefty price tag compared to other upscale midsize cars. Plus, the C70's 18/17 MPG rating is competitive, but doesn't best the top luxury convertibles.
- "Retractable hardtops are usually found in high-end cars, and while the C70's…base price isn't cheap, it is lower than other retractables such as the Lexus SC 430 and Mercedes-Benz SL." -- Kansas City Star
- "Auto enthusiasts have for the most part ignored Volvo over the years, opting for more flashy European luxury brands such as BMW, Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz. With the C70, though, Volvo has something to offer car buffs looking for some excitement in their vehicle's styling and performance." -- Fort Worth Star-Telegram
- "This solid-topped, shudder-free convertible has put the bad cowls out to pasture. It prances down the roadway like a thoroughbred." -- Boston Globe
- "We found the C70 to be an excellent highway cruiser, smooth and steady at high speeds, quiet with the steel top up. Its stereo sounds superb. The C70 feels like a sports car. It has a solid feel and strikes an appropriate balance of responsive handling with a smooth, well-controlled ride quality and fade-resistant brakes." -- New Car Test Drive
- "The new, stylish C70 convertible is yet another step in Volvo's rebirth as a racier, more vibrant brand. … The C70 injects Volvo with verve after several decades of staidness." -- Forbes
C70 Performance - 7.3 (Good)
The 2008 Volvo C70 is a pleasant car to drive, reviews say, but it's no one's race car. Many test drivers praise the handling, but none call the turbocharged inline five-cylinder engine more than adequate. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram is typical in saying the engine's 218 horsepower is "not exactly enthusiast-type power, but in the C70, it works fairly well." Our full Volvo C70 Performance Review gives more details on the handling, and how Volvo eliminated the rigidity problems common to convertibles. continue
C70 Exterior - 7.9 (Good)
The 2008 Volvo C70 is an attractive car, well-regarded by the automotive press. The C70 was the first car in this class to offer an automatic retractable hardtop, giving it a coupe-like shape with the top up. The look worked so well that it has since been copied by much of the competition. That hardtop powers down in less than 30 seconds, and seals tighter than a cloth top when raised. Car and Driver says the roof is "why the C70 looks so good. It has a balance of line that many four-seaters with this kind of roof system fail to achieve." See the look for yourself in our Volvo C70 Photo Gallery, or read our full Exterior Review for reviewer's comments on the shape. continue
C70 Interior - 7.9 (Good)
The passenger cabin of the 2008 Volvo C70 is attractive, with clean, simple lines. Many reviewers call the look "uncluttered," which contrasts it with the button-heavy, high-tech chic of many entry-level luxury cars. It features Volvo's famously comfortable seats, and more space than many competitors. In a competition that pitted the C70 against a BMW 328i hardtop, a Saab 9-3 convertible, an Audi A4 Cabriolet and a Volkswagen Eos hardtop, Car and Driver reported "it was the only car of these four-seaters that could actually accommodate four persons in comfort." See our Volvo C70 Photo Gallery for images of the cabin, or continue to our full Interior Review to read about standard and available features. continue
C70 Safety - 9.8 (Excellent)
The 2008 Volvo C70 was named a "Top Safety Pick" by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, after achieving the highest possible score in every one of the Institute's crash tests. Continue with our full Safety Review to read about the extensive list of safety features Volvo builds into the car. continue
C70 Reliability - 4.0 (Mediocre)
The 2008 Volvo C70 reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). Volvo provides comprehensive warranty coverage for four years or 50,000 miles. continue
